Why did they make it with steel and not aluminium?

SashaLondon

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They could have saved a lot of weight. Why didn't they use aluminium (aluminum in USA I think)?
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ChasingCoral

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They could have saved a lot of weight. Why didn't they use aluminium (aluminum in USA I think)?
Good question. I think cost and repair cost is part of it. It's an interesting mix as some panels are steel, some aluminum, and some plastic exterior.
 

timbop

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I think cost and repair cost is part of it
I think that's the major part of it. Hopefully my insurance rates reflect the repairability of the MME vs an aluminum Tesla
 

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They could have saved a lot of weight. Why didn't they use aluminium (aluminum in USA I think)?
I was wondering that as well. I don't think the math works with such a limited run of vehicles. It's pretty expensive to make an aluminum vehicle body so there would need to be a very large production run to justify the costs. Like say....F-150 numbers. :)
 

GoGoGadgetMachE

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Good question. I think cost and repair cost is part of it. It's an interesting mix as some panels are steel, some aluminum, and some plastic exterior.
On the insurance rate thread, it's stated as a fact that aluminum Tesla bodies are extremely difficult to repair compared to steel bodies.

On the other hand, there's aluminum in the F-150 now as was mentioned so... ?‍♂
 


trutolife27

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The cost. The Ford heavy-duty truck, lincoln navigator, and expedition are all-aluminum body.
The consumables are very expensive.
The different rivets, adhesive, flow drill screws, add to the cost. The mache then would cost about 5,000 more each.

There are so many different rivet sizes used, so it plays a big part in cost.
 

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Aluminum is used so you can make CAFE. The cost of aluminum is offset by the cost of developing even more exotic ICE powertrains, and the weight difference increases towing/cargo weight capacity. No rusting is just a bonus.
 

kdryden99

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And contrary to popular beliefs the Tesla is not all aluminium. Its a mix of Aluminium and steel
 

RonTCat

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They could have saved a lot of weight. Why didn't they use aluminium (aluminum in USA I think)?
That's
Al - lou - min - nee - um = aluminum
for those on the west side of the pond.

Cheers from the colonies.
 

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They could have saved a lot of weight. Why didn't they use aluminium (aluminum in USA I think)?
I don't think aluminum is all that much lighter than some types of steel, and mass isn't a huge deal with BEVs because of regen. For BEVs aero is a big factor even at slow speeds whereas mass isn't nearly as important.

It always comes down to many factors, including of course cost, both in raw materials and ease of manufacture. What we see these days is a mix of materials, with each material the best for the application.

I think Musk has said that the steel in the Model 3 will last 100 years. Can't say that is correct but I won't be around to argue. :oops:
 

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I don't think aluminum is all that much lighter than some types of steel, and mass isn't a huge deal with BEVs because of regen. For BEVs aero is a big factor even at slow speeds whereas mass isn't nearly as important.

It always comes down to many factors, including of course cost, both in raw materials and ease of manufacture. What we see these days is a mix of materials, with each material the best for the application.

I think Musk has said that the steel in the Model 3 will last 100 years. Can't say that is correct but I won't be around to argue. :oops:
Steel is certainly easier to stamp and assemble, plus aluminum has a short shelf life. You can't let aluminum age too long, because it becomes too hard to stamp when it oxidizes enough.
 

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The thing with aluminum builds is you can't have too many different design lines. The more you try to make it flashy the more it has chances to have stress cracks.

The repair also is massive. A lot of the parts can't be prepared and have to be scrapped. Then the cost goes way up. Seen too much of this first hand.
 

kdryden99

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And i also believe Aluminium is harder to paint, case and point Tesla's paint issues
 

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The thing with aluminum builds is you can't have too many different design lines. The more you try to make it flashy the more it has chances to have stress cracks.

The repair also is massive. A lot of the parts can't be prepared and have to be scrapped. Then the cost goes way up. Seen too much of this first hand.
Aluminum ages more like wine than steel does. Aluminum oxide is stronger/harder than aluminum. Iron oxide (rust) is much weaker than steel. As Tru said, stamping 3 month old aluminum coil will produce cracked panels. It doesn't want to flow anymore. Too hard.

Your 5 year old truck body is actually stronger than your new truck body...
 
 




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